Pilot program for juvenile delinquents shows promise (AUDIO)

Nebraska’s pilot program aimed at preventing delinquent juveniles from becoming state wards is showing good progress. Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican delivered his State of the Judiciary address today to lawmakers at the state Capitol in Lincoln.

He says the project is designed to keep those in the juvenile justice system from becoming repeat offenders by designing individual programs that involves parental involvement and mandatory school attendance. He says the juveniles were able to stay in their homes.

The pilot program started July 1st and involved 600 participants in Omaha, Scottsbluff and North Platte. Heavican says 80% of them successfully completed the pilot program.